The Universities in Thessaloniki and the Cultural Agencies responded positively to Attiko Metro S.A. / Thessaloniki Metro invitation and submitted their creative proposals for cooperation in the framework of the Memorandum to be agreed upon in February in view of crowning the partnership to be developed between ATTIKO METRO S.A. and the local authorities.
The meeting held on January 31st 2011 at Attiko Metro S.A./Thessaloniki Metro premises was presided by Mr. Yiannis Mangriotis, Deputy Minister of YPOMEDI, who referred to the objectives of the aforementioned Partnership.
As stressed by the Deputy Minister, the co-operation between Attiko Metro S.A./Thessaloniki Metro and the local authorities can support the Metro Project, the largest Project currently constructed in Greece by means of state funding and address the problems that emerge during the construction phase; even the more so, the subject cooperation can reveal the most significant archaeological finds and the modern network of fixed route transportation modes to be established in Thessaloniki.
During this meeting, specific proposals were submitted concerning actions, which shall constitute the scope of works for Committees responsible for this Co-operation.
Moreover, the representatives of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and of Alexandrio Technical Institution of Thessaloniki (A.T.E.I.) stated that they have already established Cooperation Committees with Attiko Metro S.A./Thessaloniki Metro, since they have processed proposals for joint actions; they also expressed their will to offer the know-how they possess in several scientific fields in view of supporting the Project.
The representatives of the Departments of Antiquities involved informed the attendees about the progress of the works and the actions undertaken to expedite the excavation works.
The Universities, the Museums of Thessaloniki, the Thessaloniki Metro along with Cultural Agencies, such as the National Theatre of Northern Greece (NTNG), the Thessaloniki International Film Festival and the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra shall cooperate in order to jointly organize events for revealing the archaeological finds and for briefing the public about the project and the development opportunities presented in Thessaloniki.
Mrs. Lilian Acheilara, Chief of the 16th Prehistoric & Classical Antiquities Department
Mrs. Despina Makropoulou, Chief of the 9th Department of Byzantine Antiquities
Mrs. Polyxeni Veleni, Manager of the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
Mr. Dimitris Nalpantis, Deputy Manager of the Byzantine Museum of Thessaloniki
Mr. Pavlos Karakoltsidis, Chairman of the A.T.E.I.
Mr. Yiannis Pantis, Vice-Dean of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Mr. Thomas Trikoukis, Chairman of the National Theatre of Northern Greece
Mr. Evangelos Ioakimidis, Chairman of the Museum of Photography in Thessaloniki
Mr. Philippos Hatzissimou, Planning Manager of Thessaloniki State Orchestra
Mr. George Politis, Chairman of the Visual Artists Association of Northern Greece
Mr. George Konstantinides, Thessaloniki Metro Projects Manager, gave the relevant clarifications on technical issues to the authorities representatives.
